Self-refresh system for use in a field memory device

ABSTRACT

A field memory self-refresh system includes a dynamic random access memory (RAM) having memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. A row decoder is designated so that the data stored in the memory cells of a row corresponding to the designated row decoder are read out. Subsequently, a row address for refreshing the memory cell array is automatically generated by a refresh address counter which is located in the dynamic RAM, whereby the memory cells on the row of the memory cell array are refreshed without any external refresh control unit. The refresh system includes a refresh RAS signal generating circuit responsive to the output of a column counter. A multiplexer selects the output of a refresh address counter, a plurality of times, between activation of successive rows in response to the refresh RAS signal. Accordingly, it is possible to perform a self-refresh operation in a shortened refresh period.

This is continuation-in part application of U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 07/268,499, filed on Nov. 8, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,376.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of the Present Invention

The present invention relates to a self-refresh system for use in a dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM or DRAM hereinafter) such as a field memory for serially reading-out and writing-in image data to form an image or picture of one field of a television system.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The field memory of the above type is different from a normal memory for storing normal data and is adapted to read and write the image in series, therefore, the field memory has such a property that each memory cell of the field memory is automatically refreshed at regular periods. The period for refreshing the memory cell array of the field memory is generally 16.6 milliseconds (ms) when using the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard television signal. On the other hand, the periods for refreshing the memory cell array of various standard dynamic RAMs such as 256 K/DRAM and 1M6/DRAM respectively, 4 ms and 8 ms, both of which are shorter than the period of 16.6 ms mentioned above; therefore, the memory cell array of such a dynamic RAM should be refreshed when using either method. Generally, there is provided a refresh control unit in an external portion of a dynamic RAM so as to refresh the memory cell array thereof at a regular period.

In the conventional refresh system, there must be provided an external control unit for refreshing the memory cell array, resulting in that the design of the device employing a field memory has been complicated and the number of the parts thereof has been increased.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a self-refresh system which is able to automatically refresh the contents of the memory cell array without any external control, thereby solving the problem mentioned above.

In a self-refresh system according to the present invention, one of the row decoders in a dynamic RAM having memory cells arranged in a matrix shape is designated so that the data stored in the memory cells of a row corresponding to the designated row decoder are read out. Subsequently, a row address for refreshing the memory cell array is automatically generated by a refresh address counter which is located int he dynamic RAM, whereby the memory cells on the row of the memory cell array are refreshed without any external refresh control unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a self-refresh system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the operation of the self-refresh system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a self-refresh row address generator according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a detailed circuit diagram of a refresh row address RAS signal generating unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a timing diagram of the refresh address increment signal, refresh RAS signal, and column decoder output of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a refresh address increment signal generating unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a refresh address counter according to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 shows an address multiplexer according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1, there are shown a memory cell array MA of a dynamic RAM having memory cells M₁₁, M₁₂, . . . M₂₁, M₂₂, . . . M_(jk) arranged in a matrix shape of j = k, a row address counter AC₁ for designating the address of the rows of the memory cell array MA during the period of reading or writing data, a refresh address counter AC₂ for designating the address of the rows of the memory cell array MA during the period of refreshing. A multiplexer MP is arranged at the output of the counters AC₁ and AC₂ so as to select either the output of the counters AC₁ during a read or write operation or the output of the counter AC₂ during a refresh operation. The output of the multiplexer MP is fed to row decoders R₁, . . . , R_(j) which designates the row address of the memory cell MA. All of the row decoders R₁, R₂, . . . , R_(j) are generally designated by R.

There are further provided column sense amplifiers S(S₁, S2 . . . , S_(k)), a transfer signal φ_(TF), R/W registers L(L₁ L2 . . . , L_(k)), an input/output line I/O, column selectors C(C₁, C2 . . . , C_(k)) and a shift clock signal SCK. It is noted that R/W means read and write.

The operation of the self-refresh system according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

According to the contents of the row address counter AC₁, one row decoder R_(n) is selected among the row decoders R₁, R₂, . . . , R_(j) and memory cells M_(nl), . . . , M_(nk) on one row of the memory cell array corresponding to the decoder R_(n) are activated among the memory cells M₁₁, . . . , M_(jk) which are arranged in two dimensions so that data previously written in the memory cells are read out through the column sense amplifiers S₁, . . . , S_(k). The read out data on the column sense amplifiers S₁, . . . , S_(k) are respectively transferred to the R/W registers L₁, . . . , L_(k) by the transfer signal φ_(TK) through the gates GA₁, GA₂, . . . , GA_(k). Subsequently, the column selectors C₁, . . . , C_(k) are activated in response to the shift clock signal SCK so as to turn on the column selectors in the order of C₁, C₂, . . . , C_(k) and then the contents of the R/W registers L₁, . . . , L_(k) are read out to the input/output line I/O through the gates GB1, GB2, GBk. Subsequently, the count of the row address counter AC₁ is incremented by one, whereby a row decoder R_(n+1) is selected and the data in the memory cells M.sub.(n+1)1, . . . , M.sub.(n+1)k are read out on the input/output line I/O in a similar way. In this way, the entire data stored in the memory cell array MA are provided in series to an external circuit (not shown) as the output of the input/output line I/O.

Assuming that the memory cell array MA has a capacity being capable of storing the image data corresponding to one field of the standard NTSC television signal and that the number of the row decoders is equal to the number of the scan lines of one field of the NTSC television picture and since the period of the standard NTSC signal of one field is 16.6 ms, when sampling a composite video signal with a frequency of 3f_(SC) (f_(SC) is a color sub-carrier frequency, being nearly equal to 3.58 MHz), the number j which is the maximum number of the row of the memory cell array MA and the number k which is the maximum number of the line of the memory cell array MA are as follows:

    j=263

    k=16.6 ms/[(1/3f.sub.SC) ×j]=678

In the present example, the period from the time of the access of the memory cell M₁₁ to the time of the access of the memory cell M_(jk) is approximately 16.6 ms, which is longer than the period for refreshing the memory cell array of a standard dynamic RAM as described above, therefore, there is a fear of destruction of the contents stored in the memory cell array MA.

As shown IN FIG. 2, in the self-refresh system according to the present invention, the data of the memory cell array MA is refreshed by generating refresh row decoder signals between pulses of transfer signal φ_(TF), more specifically when addressing one row of the memory array MA by the signal φ_(TD) is finished. For example, after the decoder R_(n) is enabled to address the row of the memory cell array M_(nl) to M_(nk), the multiplexer MP is switched to the refresh address counter AC₂ so as to output the contents of the refresh address counter AC₂ so that the row decoder R_(m) (m is not equal to n) is designated, whereby the contents of the memory cells M_(ml) to M_(mk) are refreshed. After the refresh of the memory cells Mm₁ to M_(mk) is completed, the contents of the refresh address counter AC₂ is advanced by 1 upon receipt of a clock signal, so that the decoder R_(m+1) is designated and the contents of the memory arrays M(m+1)1 to M.sub.(m+1)k are refreshed. In the examples shown in FIG. 2, there are inserted three refresh addresses R_(m), R_(m+1) and R_(m+2) in an interval between the pulses of transfer signal φ_(TF). When the refresh of the memory arrays M.sub.(m+2)1, M.sub.(m+2)2, . . . , M.sub.(m+2)k is finished, the multiplexer MP is switched toward the address counter AC₁ so that the decoder R_(n+1) is designated.

It is noted that the address counters AC₁ and AC₂ may be clocked by various (address) clock signals such as clock signals φ_(TK) and/or SCK or their frequency divided signals so long as the operation mentioned above can be performed.

Similarly, in the next interval between the pulses transfer signal φ_(TF), there are inserted three refresh addresses R_(m+3), R_(m+4) and R_(m+5) so as to generated three refresh row decoder signals between the transfer signals. Accordingly, since three refresh cycles can be performed during one cycle of the row addressing for the read/write operation of one row of the memory cell array MA the interval of one refresh cycle of each memory cell is 16.6 ms/3=5.5. ms.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, since the number j is 263 and the k is 678, assuming that the number of bits per memory location is 6 with the sampling 3f_(sc), the capacity for storing the image data of one field of the television signals is

    263 ×678 ×6 =1,069,884 (1 M)

Since the refresh period of the memory cell array of 1 M bits should be within 8 ms, the above-mentioned refresh period 5.5 ms in this example is short enough to satisfy the above-mentioned condition.

Assuming that the number of the refreshed rows of the memory array to be inserted between two adjacent transfer signals φ_(TF) is l, the refresh period of the memory cell array becomes 16.6 ms/l. Moreover, in case of l=1, if particularly there is defined a relation m=n+j/2 between the reading row address R_(n) and the refresh row address R_(m), it is possible to refresh all the memory cells in generally half a cycle, in other words, there is the same effect as in the case of l=2, reducing the consumption of the electric power.

As shown in FIG. 2, the data in the memory cells M_(nl) to M_(nk) of row decoder signal R_(n) and stored int eh read register L of FIG. 1 in response to the transfer signal φ_(TF). The input data of the (n-1)^(th) row (data stored in the read register L) are entered in the memory cells of the (n-1)^(th) row. The serial refresh processes are carried out by the row decoder signal R_(n) and transfer signal φ_(TF). Therefore, three refresh processes are performed with respect to the rows of m, m +1, and m +2 between the activation of the row decoder signal R_(n) and the subsequent activation of the next row decoder signal R_(n+1) base on the transfer signal φ_(TF).

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a self-refresh system according to the present invention. The self-refresh system includes a column counter 100 which counts the shift clock pulses SCK and produces a count (data information) corresponding to the counted shift clock pulses SCK. This data information is inputted into a refresh address increment signal generating unit 101 and a refresh RAS signal generating unit 102. The refresh address increment signal generating unit 101 produces a refresh address incrementing signal PCT which is inputted into refresh address counter AC₂. The refresh address incrementing signal PCT causes the refresh address counter AC₂ to increment, thereby producing a self-refresh address.

The self-refresh system also includes row address counter AC₁ which is incremented in response to transfer signal φ_(TF) or clock signal SCK. The output of row address counter AC₁ and refresh address counter AC₂ are inputted into multiplexer MP. The multiplexer MP selects which output (output from either AC₁ or AC₂) is inputted into the row decoder R of FIG. 1 based on the state of a RAS_(REF) signal produced by the refresh RAS signal generating unit 102. The refresh RAS signal generating unit 102 decodes the count received from the column counter 100 so that the multiplexer MP is instructed to select the output from the refresh address counter AC₂ a plurality of times between generation of row decoding signals R_(n) and R_(n+1).

A preferred refresh RAS signal generating unit 102 is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the output of the refresh address counter AC₂ is selected by the multiplexer MP three times between row decoding signals R_(n) and R_(n+a). This refresh RAS signal generating unit 102 can be easily modified to change the number of refresh processes occurring between row decoding signals R₁, R_(n) and R_(n+1) to meet the specifications of the information processing device. This modification can be readily implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 5 shows the timing diagram of the refresh control signals produced between row decoding signals R_(n) and R_(n+1) of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in the example of FIG. 5, the incrementing signal PCT and the refresh address selection signal RAS_(REF) are pulsed three times between the generation of row decoding signals R_(n) and R_(n+1) (R_(n) and R_(n+1) are shown in FIG. 2). This enables the refresh address counter AC₂ to be incremented three times and the multiplexer MP to select these three refresh addresses between generation of row decoding signals R_(n) and R_(n+1). The signals R_(m), R_(m+1), and R_(m+2) represent the refresh address signals produced by the incrementing of the refresh address counter AC₂ in response to incrementing signal PCT.

As shown in FIG. 1, assuming that there are a number k of memory cells and selectors on one line, the refresh row address signal RAS_(REF) is pulsed in response to the timing of signals p, l, and r (p, q, and r represent numbers for designating a column position) on one line so that the memory cells on rows m, m+1, and m+2 are refreshed. Therefore, the shift clock signal SCK is inputted into the column counter and the signals C_(p), C_(q), and C_(r) for the p, q, and r bits are outputted and applied to the refresh RAS signal generating unit 102. The relationship between the timings of the PCT signal, RAS_(REF) signal and column decoder output signal is shown in FIG. 5. Also in FIG. 5, the relationship between the refresh address increment signal PCT and column decoder output signals C_(p-1), C_(q-1), and C_(r-1) is shown. The PCT signal is activated one clock before the refresh RAS signal, RAS_(REF), is activated, thereby incrementing the refresh address counter AC₂ which determines the refresh row address signal.

A preferred refresh address increment signal generating unit 101 is shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the refresh address counter AC₂ is incremented three times between decoding signals R_(n) and R_(n+1). This refresh address increment signal generating unit 101 can be easily modified to change the number of incrementations between row decoding signals R_(n) and R_(n+1) to meet the specification of the information processing device. This modification can be readily implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 7 shows a preferred refresh address counter AC₂ comprising flip-flops for generating the refresh address signal in response to the refresh address increment signal PCT.

FIG. 8 shows a preferred address multiplexer MP. This address multiplexer MP selects either the address signal A_(k) from the row address counter AC, or the refresh address signal AR_(k) from the refresh address counter AC₂ depending upon the state of RAS_(REF).

As described above, the shift clock SCK advances by one line (one column) and the read/write operation of one line of data is performed. At the same time, the refresh address and refresh row address signals are produced based on the shift clock signal SCK so as to control the refresh process.

According to the present invention, the refresh operation of the field memory array can be performed by the control signals used in the field memory array, therefore it is possible to perform the refresh operation of the memory cell array without any specific external refresh control units and external control signals so, that the number of the parts of the refresh system can be reduced and the design of the refresh system is simplified. Moreover, since the refresh period can be shortened by increasing the number of the refresh addresses, the period of the shift clock signal can be lengthened so that the operating margin of the memory can be expanded.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A field memory self-refresh system comprising:control means for generating a shift clock signal and a transfer signal; row address means for generating a first address to be utilized during read and write operations and being incremented in response to an address clock signal; and an integrated dynamic random access memory including,dynamic memory means for storing data according to said first address during said write operation and for outputting data according to said first address during said read operation, column counter means for generating a column count signal in response to said shift clock signal, refresh address incrementing means, responsive to said column count signal, for producing an incrementing signal according to a decoding of said column count signal, refresh select signal generating means, responsive to said column count signal, for producing a refresh select signal according to a decoding of said column count signal, refresh address means, responsive to said incrementing signal, for generating a second address to be utilized in a refresh operation, said second address being not equal to said first address, selecting means, responsive to said refresh select signal, for applying a selected one of said first address and said second address to said dynamic memory means according to said refresh select signal, latch means for latching data read from said dynamic memory means during a read operation, and output means for serially outputting data from said latch means in response to said transfer signal.
 2. The self-refresh system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dynamic memory means is a field memory array for storing image data for a television system.
 3. The self-refresh system as claimed in claim 1,said selecting means selects said second address after said transfer signal is generated and said dynamic memory means has a portion thereof refreshed according to said second address.
 4. The self-refresh system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said address clock signal is said shift clock signal.
 5. The self-refresh system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said address clock signal is said transfer signal, and said output means has transfer gates which transfer data from said latch means to an input/output (I/O) line.
 6. The self-refresh system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a refresh operation is performed a plurality of times between successive occurrences of pulses of said transfer signal. 